John Rawls Theory of Justice Class 11 Polity Notes

Around the world, political discourse and policymaking are influenced by Rawls’ theory, which is still much researched and disputed. Rawls’ theories have greatly benefited political philosophy, especially in distributive and social justice. His theory offers a foundation for a good society built on equality and fairness.

The article explores American philosopher John Rawls’ foundational work and his notion of justice. This article provides context for understanding how Rawls builds a model of justice that attempts to alleviate societal disparities by examining his concepts of the original position and the veil of ignorance.

John Rawls Theory of Justice Class 11 Polity Notes

Who was John Rawls?

American philosopher John Bordley Rawls was a scholar on politics and morals. John Rawls is a prolific author of books on political philosophy, having been greatly influenced by the works of Immanuel Kant, David Hume, Aristotle, and John Locke. Published in 1971, his most famous work is still highly regarded by critics worldwide and is called A Theory of Justice. Political liberalism, The Law of Peoples, and Justice as Fairness are a few other noteworthy texts. In 1999, Rawls was also awarded the National Humanities Medal and the Schock Prize for Logic and Philosophy.

What Is John Rawls’s Theory of Justice?

• Theory Foundation: Drawing on the principles of David Hume, John Rawls offers a theory that balances equality and liberty for a just society.
• Justice Concept: According to Rawls, justice is fairness, in which each person is treated equally and has access to the same opportunities and fundamental liberties.
• Priciple of Equal treatment: The Equal Treatment Principle states that people who are similar should have the same opportunities and advantages, with a focus on helping those who are less fortunate.
• The Function of a Just Society: According to Rawls, this theory ensures equity and equal opportunity, which helps a just society function.
• Liberty Maximisation: Individual liberty should be prioritised in modern society, but only as long as it doesn’t interfere with the freedom or well-being of others.
• Acceptance of Inequalities: If the absence of a certain inequality causes more harm, then it may be acceptable.
• Protection of Disadvantaged: Disadvantaged people shouldn’t have to endure disparities only because they lack finances, and obstacles to achieving positions of authority should be removed as much as possible.
• Maintaining a Just Society: Rawls highlights the significance of striking a balance between equality and liberty.
• Fair allocation of Resources: In order to guarantee equal chances for every member of society, the theory promotes a fair allocation of resources.
• Promotion of Social Justice: In general, the goal of Rawls’ theory is to advance social justice by establishing a framework that places a premium on equality, justice, and individual freedom.

Criticism Faced by John Rawls Theory of Justice

John Rawls’ Theory of Justice has drawn a lot of criticism from other philosophers and book critics since publications. Many philosophers who support the notion of rigorous equality attacked the book by arguing that, in John Rawls’ view, some disparities that are allowed are wrong, even if they do aid the most disadvantaged people of society. Additionally, they contended that Rawls’ book’s discussion of the equilibrium of a well-structured society is unsettled by this method of tolerating some disparities. Finally, philosophers attacked the book for not presenting maximum utility because Rawls relied heavily on utilitarianism as the foundational theory against which to compare his own theory. They objected to how the Difference Principle was portrayed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, John Rawls’ Theory of Justice is still a major contribution to political philosophy and has a global impact on debate and policymaking. Today, Rawls’s emphasis on striking a balance between liberty and equality in order to build a just society is still very significant. His idea of justice as fairness, combined with ideas like protecting the weak and treating everyone equally, offers a strong foundation for advancing social justice and equity. Rawls’s work has unquestionably made a substantial contribution to the understanding and improvement of conceptions of justice, even in spite of criticism from some sections. In light of the enduring inequalities and obstacles that society faces, Rawls’s ideas provide insightful guidance on building a more just and equitable society.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Justice according to John Rawls?

According to Rawls, people naturally understand justice to mean that all members of a society are on an equal footing because society is a system of just cooperation. Therefore, he believes that justice will, at the very least, entail a particular kind of equality that encourages social cohesion.

What is Political Philosphy?

A branch of philosophy known as political philosophy focuses on the intellectual underpinnings of how governments operate. In order to comprehend how the government operates, it also addresses concerns about the character, authority, and extent of public servants as well as the connections between them.

What is the purpose of a theory of Justice?

According to Rawls, A Theory of Justice establishes consensus-building grounds for conversation in the field of political philosophy. In addition, he thought it would give people a better sense of where they fit into society and how to behave morally. Furthermore, as long as the institutions are just, it should serve as a guide for individuals to recognise the rationality that exists within them and aid in their ability to come to terms with them.

What are the two principles of Justice according to John Rawls?

According to Rawls, each person has a claim to rights and liberties that are, to the greatest extent possible, equivalent to those of everyone else (without generating inequality). This is the basic principle of justice. The second principle states that socioeconomic inequality can only be justified when it is linked to positions that help the poorest members of society and are accessible to everybody.

What is Justice?

A wide concept, justice has an impact on almost every aspect of human existence. The Latin word for justice, Junger, implies “to bind or tie together.” “Jus” can also mean “bond” or “tie.” According to this interpretation, a system of justice is one in which individuals are interconnected. Justice seeks to unite divergent viewpoints and structure all interpersonal interactions around it.